Activity Menu

The Plants for Human Health Institute supports a lab space that is dedicated to outreach activities. Amy Bowman, PHHI Extension associate specializing in STEM Education, manages the lab and has curated this menu to experiences to offer to public groups looking to learn more about scientific research. She makes sure to connect the hand-on learning experiences to research that is actually happening at PHHI.

Refractometers

Learn how to use a refractometer to test the sugar content of various fruits and vegetables. The sweetness, a product of photosynthesis, can indicate the health of a plant.

45 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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DNA Extraction

Extracting DNA from strawberries or blueberries. This lab experience highlights some fun facts about DNA while explaining the purpose of each step in the extraction process.

45 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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Micropipetting

Learn how to use a micropipette. Test and calculate your accuracy while creating a design in a 96 well plate.

45 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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Flower Dissection/Pollination Demonstration

Learn how flowering plants reproduce by dissecting a perfect flower and observing the reproductive parts.

45 minutes | Your location
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Biodiscovery Kit

Test household spices, herbs and other plant material for antimicrobial properties. Learn about antibiotic resistance and the quest for new antibiotics.

60 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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Gel Electrophoresis

Learn the concepts and applications of agarose gel electrophoresis while separating different sized dye molecules.

Prerequisite: Micropipetting

90 minutes | PHHI Training Lab
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Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Perform an ELISA test to detect the presence of antibodies, antigen, or track a disease outbreak.

45 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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Researching Alzheimer’s Disease by ELISA

In this experiment, students will become neuroscientists searching for Alzheimer’s Disease biomarkers. Students will explore potential biomarkers by analyzing simulated patient samples from control and Alzheimer’s Disease populations.

60 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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Thin Layer Chromatography

Vaping is rising in popularity but many of its health effects are unknown. In this experiment, students become biomedical researchers and investigate the chemical contents of three simulated e-liquids using thin layer chromatography.

45 minutes | PHHI or Your location
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Simulated Covid PCR Test

Reverse-transcriptase PCR is the gold standard for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 due to the sensitivity, specificity and feasibility of the test. In this simulated RT-PCR experiment, students will explore the diagnostic test used worldwide to diagnose and monitor the spread of COVID-19.

Prerequisite: Micropipetting

4 hours total time or
two 45 minute periods | PHHI Training Lab
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CRISPR

Explore cutting-edge biotechnology with this hands-on CRISPR-Cas9 simulation. Students will assume the role of plant geneticists working to develop corn crops capable of surviving, and thriving, in a changing environment. This experiment will allow students to develop an understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 applications in the laboratory, cleave DNA, and examine their results after gel electrophoresis.

Prerequisite: Micropipetting

2 hours | PHHI Training Lab
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Identification of Genetically Modified Foods Using PCR

Some foods contain raw materials from genetically modified organisms (GMO). Examples include tofu, corn flakes and corn meal. In this experiment, students will extract DNA from food or plant material and perform PCR to determine if any GM indicator genes are present. Amplified DNA is separated and sized by agarose gel electrophoresis. (Requires 1 to 3 day shipping).

Prerequisite: Micropipetting

6 hours total time or
two 1 hour periods | PHHI Training Lab
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